27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
03 Acts 09 32-43 THE MINISTRY OF PETER 16 Acts 09 37-38 Belief in Jesus
📖 Acts 09:32-43
16 – Thu13Jun2024 – *Belief in Jesus* - _Acts 09:32-43_ – THE MINISTRY OF PETER – _John 14:12-14_
_Acts 9:37-38 But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. (38) And since *Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them*._
Aeneas had just been healed at Lydda and the entire region had heard about it including people at Joppa. The believers in Joppa realised that Peter was close by. They immediately took action to get Peter to come to Joppa.
The Lord had been using Peter powerfully for the growth of the gospel. _Acts 5:15-16 so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, *that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them*. (16) Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, *and they were all healed*._
The believers in Jerusalem had prayed that God would bless them and powerful signs and wonders to be done through them in the name of Jesus. The Lord had heard and affirmed their prayer. _Acts 4:29-31 Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, (30) *by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus*." (31) And when they had prayed, *the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit*, and they spoke the word of God with boldness._
The Lord Jesus had done marvellous miracles, which the people of Israel knew. _Acts 2:22 "Men of Israel, hear these words: *Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst*, as you yourselves also know—_
The Lord had said that the disciples would do greater works than what He had done. _John 14:12-14 "Most assuredly, I say to you,* he who believes in Me*, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. (13) And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If you ask anything in My name, I will do it._
The greater works of God include miracles, signs, and wonders. This is the realm in which all of us as believers in Christ are expected to operate. The Lord’s words are true and they do not change. He does not change.
Through the apostles, many signs and wonders happened. _Acts 2:43 Then fear came upon every soul, and *many wonders and signs were done through the apostles*._ / _Acts 5:12 And *through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people*. And they were all with one accord in Solomon's Porch._
The believers in Joppa did not exercise the gift of healing and raising a person from the dead, but they eagerly desired Peter to come and for a miracle to take place.
We do see mighty miracles, signs and wonders taking place even today, but we know that not all of us can exercise this gift. How are we to understand this phenomenon?
The Lord saw the people with compassion and miracles, signs and wonders took place. _Matthew 4:23-25 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, *and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people*. (24) Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and *He healed them*. (25) Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan._ *The Lord also raised the dead to life.*
*Belief is the basis of our relationship with Jesus.* Belief in Jesus is the basis by which signs and wonders take place in and through us. Belief needs to be understood and applied. What do I mean?
There are three aspects that we must internalise to experience belief in Jesus. This is about our *preposition*.
(1) We are in the habitat of God. Our life has no other basis except Christ. We do not come to Christ to solve our problems but we live, move and have our being in Him. He is our all. We rest in Jesus.
(2) the healing is the Lord’s and He is bringing His Shalom into our world. The Shalom of God is the will of God for our hurting world. We therefore connect with the issue at hand and bring about the Shalom of God. We speak the Shalom of God into every crisis.
(3) We know that God is manifesting His glory in all situations. We, therefore, operate knowing that the devil is defeated and God’s glory is made manifest. His glory is from everlasting to everlasting.
A connection is required for a miracle to take place. Peter had to come from Lydda to Joppa to raise Tabitha from the dead.
Let us, in belief in Jesus, connect with those who are hurting, suffering and in sickness. Let us always operate out of belief in Jesus. ```Let the Lord’s will be done in every crisis.```